Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Compare Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra side by side: Apple A16 Bionic vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, 48MP vs 200MP camera…
Apple
iPhone 15
$799
2categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1,299
16categories won
3 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 15, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 15 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes battery honors offering 5,000 mAh alongside 60W charging.
Galaxy S26 Ultra provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and 16GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes photography with 200MP optics and 5x optical telephoto capabilities.
iPhone 15 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $799 vs $1299.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 | 1440 x 3120Winner |
| Pixel density | 461 ppi | 498 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 2000 nits | 2400 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,380,000 | 2,400,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 6650 | 8900Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 6 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 512GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 48 MP | 200 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 4Winner |
| Optical zoom | — | 5x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR | — |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,349 mAh | 5,000 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 60 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 171 gWinner | 214 g |
| Thickness | 7.8 mm | 7.9 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, color-infused matte glass back | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 17 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | — |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799Winner | $1,299 |
Apple iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 gains the interactive Dynamic Island, a 48MP dual camera capturing 24MP default snaps with 2x lossless digital cropping, 2000-nit outdoor brightness, USB-C convenience, and pastel matte glass styling.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A16 Bionic
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,349mAh
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a premium 6.9-inch flagship built for power users and creators. Priced at $1299, it pairs a heavily upgraded Snapdragon processor and 60W charging with a versatile quad-camera array and the signature built-in S Pen stylus.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 200MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh